Surveying the acronyms, slogans and victim names that serve as titles for measures introduced in Congress and other legislative bodies, some of which may graduate to the U.S. Code and other statute books.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Living on the Edge?

Steven Tyler just bought a house on Maui. In honor of his arrival the Hawaii State Legislature is currently mulling the Steven Tyler Act, which provides celebrities the right to sue paparazzi for taking unwanted photographs.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

465

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TORT ACTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawai‘i is home to many celebrities, particularly on Maui, who are subjected to harassment from photographers and reporters seeking photographs and news stories. The privacy of these celebrities endure unwarranted invasion into their personal lives. Although their celebrity status may justify a lower expectation of privacy, the legislature finds that sometimes the paparazzi go too far to disturb the peace and tranquility afforded celebrities who escape to Hawai‘i for a quiet life.

Existing Hawai‘i statutes are silent on a civil cause of action for constructive invasion of privacy. Therefore, many celebrities are deterred from buying property or vacationing in Hawai‘i because the same paparazzi that harass them on the mainland are more likely to follow them to Hawai‘i. However, a few celebrities are not discouraged from visiting or residing in our beautiful State. For example, Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith for over forty years, former "American Idol" judge, and world-renowned celebrity has recently purchased a home on Maui. He will now be sharing his time between Boston, Los Angeles, and his new home on Maui. In honor of Steven Tyler's contribution to the arts in Hawai‘i and throughout the world, this Act shall be known as the Steven Tyler Act.

The purpose of this Act is to encourage celebrities to visit and reside in our State by creating a civil cause of action for the constructive invasion of privacy...